Information on Supplements
In reference to banned supplements as it relates to body building supplements, unfortunately there is no existing list. Until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comes out with an official list, HQMC (MFCP-1)'s guidance has been; if a Marine can purchase a body building supplement from their base/camp or installation MCX/AAFES/GNC than the product "should" be in the "safe zone". The mission of the AAFES/MCX is to provide quality merchandise to authorized customers at uniform prices, so they would not offer supplements or any other products harmful to service members or their families.
Just to note, most recently we have been alerted to the dangers of using some of the energy powders/drinks which are available. While they are not illegal, if used in excess they may pose health risk problems. We recommend contacting your health care provider and get guidance when making decisions regarding supplements. Because, while a supplement may not be illegal, if combined with others it may still pose hazards to your health.
**Note** The Consumer Safety Officer pulls items off the shelves on all military installations when there are health risks involved when using "supplements". For example, on 3 December 2011 with the ALFOODACT 034-2011, they pulled supplements containing DMMA, which is part of an ongoing investigation, so these items listed below were pulled for safety reasons.
Jack3D and some other dietary supplements, weight gain and muscle building products, seem to have contain the same thing: "DMMA" which is not an approved dietary supplement. DMMA functions as an Amphetamine and may be associated with some recent deaths in military personnel. DMMA may have long term health problems or worse, "death", and no (per NDSL again) they will not pop on a urinalysis test.
Here is a list of some products that may contain DMMA and is highly recommended not to use them:
USPlabs Jack 3D (Tropical Fruit and Lemon Lime)--- USPlabs Oxy Elite Pro---Nutrex Lipo 6 Black Caps (his and hers)---Nutrex Lipo 6 Black Ultra Concentrated (his and hers)--- Nutrex Hemo Rage Black Powder, Punch, Berry---Isatori PWR---Muscletech Neurocore---Muscletech Hydroxystim---Fahrenheit Nutrition Lean EFX---Muscle Warfare Napalm---All American Efx K-Otic---SNI Nitric Blast---BIORhythm SSIN Juice---Muscle Meds Code Red---SEI MethhlHex 4, 2---Grenade (universal) Grenade---M.A.P. (iovate) Arson---Gaspari Nutrition Spirodex-.
So, again, there is no lengthy list to provide you with when it comes to supplements, only the rule of thumb, that is, "if GNC on base don't sell it, then look for a different product to use, not the internet".
** From HQMC: If a Marine knowingly purchases a body building supplement from the internet (i.e., where the product is actually made in China or Turkey out of who knows what and then the Marine's results are positive, there will be the preponderance of the evidence establishing the Marine used a controlled substance knowingly.
Educate your Marines/Sailors on using natural food instead of supplements, using supplements only as needed not wanted. There are many supplements out there that are safe to use, so I am not saying don't take any, but to do better research for safer alternatives that produce the same results for someone wanting to use supplements.
The below two websites are a reliable source site from the OSD/DoD on many issues pertaining to the body, mind and spirit including the utilization of herbs, nutrients, supplements etc. The first link is to the Human Performance Resource Center (HPRC) which is an initiative under the Force Health Protection and Readiness Program. Capt Hite (USN ret), who was our fulltime Dietician for the Marine Corps and now hired as part time contract work was on multiple working groups and committees over the past 2 years which created such programs as "Fueled to Fight".
The second link is an actual login account that a Marine can set up. This site; once an account is established, will allow you to check supplements and any prescription medications that you or someone you may know might be on to see the side effects of taking natural herbs and supplements with them. It links you to the Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database.
Also, I attached the ALFOODACT .pdf with a website you can go to for more questions/answers about supplements and the current DEA Banned Substances List.
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